Medical cannabis, legally. Vijaya extract prescribed through AYUSH-licensed physicians. For chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, and neurological conditions. Full legal framework under Indian AYUSH regulations.
Medical cannabis (Vijaya extract, THC:CBD balanced) is legal in India via AYUSH physician prescription. CBD is non-intoxicating and anti-inflammatory; THC provides pain relief and mood modulation. Legal status requires AYUSH qualification and government-registered cannabis dispensary. Available 1:1 or 2:1 CBD:THC formulations. Oral dosing starts low (2.5–5 mg THC equivalent) and titrates over 2–4 weeks.
| Property | CBD | THC |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Status (India) | Schedule II (AYUSH prescription only) | Schedule I (AYUSH prescription, controlled) |
| Intoxication | Non-intoxicating (no high) | Mild intoxicating at therapeutic doses |
| Mechanism | CB1/CB2 partial agonist, serotonin, vanilloid pathways | CB1/CB2 agonist, euphoria, pain, anxiety relief |
| Best For | Inflammation, anxiety, nausea, seizure adjunct | Pain, sleep, spasticity, appetite, mood |
| Side Effects | Fatigue, dry mouth, mild (rare) | Dry mouth, tachycardia, anxiety (if naive), red eyes |
| Availability | India: Balanced ratios (1:1, 2:1 CBD:THC) most common via registered AYUSH dispensaries | |
Cannabinoids work through the endocannabinoid system, a fundamental regulatory network present throughout the body and brain. The balanced THC:CBD ratio provides therapeutic benefits while minimizing intoxication and side effects.
CBD and THC share similar metabolism pathways but differ dramatically in bioavailability and clearance, especially between oral and inhaled routes. Understanding these differences explains the route-dependent clinical effects.
| CBD (Cannabidiol) | |
| Bioavailability (oral) | ~6% (high first-pass metabolism) |
| Bioavailability (inhaled) | ~31% (avoids first-pass) |
| Tmax (oral) | 1–4 hours |
| Elimination half-life | 18–32 hours |
| Protein binding | >99% (highly protein-bound) |
| Metabolism | CYP2C19 (primary), CYP3A4 (secondary) |
| Active metabolite | 7-OH-CBD (active) |
| THC (Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) | |
| Bioavailability (oral) | ~6–20% (highly variable, food-dependent) |
| Bioavailability (inhaled) | ~10–35% (faster onset) |
| Tmax (oral) | 1–5 hours (variable) |
| Elimination half-life | 25–36 hours (lipophilic, accumulates in fat) |
| Protein binding | 95–99% (extremely lipophilic) |
| Metabolism | CYP2C9 (primary), CYP3A4 (secondary) |
| Primary metabolite | 11-OH-THC (psychoactive) → THC-COOH (inactive, long detection window) |
| Detection window | THC-COOH detectable in urine 30+ days after discontinuation |
| Entourage Effect (CBD:THC combination) | |
| CBD modulation | CBD is an allosteric modulator of CB1 — reduces THC's psychoactive/anxiogenic effects |
| Optimal ratio | Anxiety/pain: 20:1 CBD:THC; Sleep: 1:1; Inflammation: Pure CBD preferred |
Dosing is highly individualized based on condition, CBD:THC ratio, route, and patient tolerance. Your AYUSH physician will design a personalized dosing schedule based on therapeutic goals.
Cannabis has substantial clinical evidence for specific conditions. Below are key meta-analyses and RCTs supporting cannabinoid therapy in pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
CBD is extremely well-tolerated; THC side effects are dose- and ratio-dependent. Combination therapy typically has better tolerability than THC-dominant formulations. Incidence rates from controlled clinical trials.
CBD is a potent CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitor. THC is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C9. Both can increase levels of many drugs significantly. Your AYUSH physician must review all medications and supplements.
Consult with an AYUSH physician to explore legal medical cannabis therapy.